EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: ASA 36/07/91

Distr: UA/SC

UA 394/91 Death Penalty 12 November 1991

SINGAPORE: SIM Ah Cheoh (f)

Sim Ah Cheoh, a mother of two, is facing imminent execution. She was sentenced to death on 29 July 1988 with two others for trying to smuggle 1.37 kg of heroin.

Sim Ah Cheoh was arrested on 26 April 1985 while she was waiting to board a plane with heroin strapped to her body. Her two accomplices, unemployed Ronald Tan Chong Ngee and contractor Lim Joo Yin, were arrested at a local hotel. They had helped Sim Ah Cheoh to carry the heroin to the airport and were found guilty of abetting her in trafficking the drugs. They have already been executed. (A UA was previously issued on this case in August 1988 - UA 203/91, ASA 36/08/88)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act (1973) as amended in 1975, the possession of and unauthorized trafficking in over 15 grams of heroin or fixed amounts of other drugs incurs a mandatory death sentence.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:

- expressing concern that SIM Ah Cheoh has been sentenced to death and is now facing execution;

- stating Amnesty International's unconditional opposition to the death penalty;

- urging that the sentence be commuted and that no more death sentences be imposed.

APPEALS TO:

1) The Honourable Goh Chok Tong Dear Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

Istana Annexe

Orchard Road

Singapore 0922

Republic of Singapore

Telegrams: Prime Minister Goh, Singapore

Telexes: c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs: RS 21242

2) His Excellency Wee Kim Wee Your Excellency

President

Office of the President

Istana Annexe

Orchard Road

Republic of Singapore

Telegrams: President Wee, Singapore

Telexes: c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs: RS 21242

3) Professor Shanmugham Jayakumar Dear Minister

Minister of Law

Ministry of Law

Government Offices

3rd Floor, City Hall

St Andrew's Road

Singapore 0617

Republic of Singapore

Telegrams: Law Minister Shanmugham, City Hall, Singapore

Telex: RS 34363 MHA

Fax: + 65 4670179

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Singapore in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 December 1991.